Statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan on the Additional Measures over the situation in Ukraine

1 Japan expresses grave concern about Russia’s continuous actions which violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, such as the annexation of Crimea, and armed separatists’ countinuous actions which destabilize the situation in Eastern Ukraine. The situation on the ground has been deteriorating despite repeated calls by Japan and the international community.

2 On the 17th of this month, the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight occurred and 298 precious lives were lost.As the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2166 describes, investigation for the facts and recollection of the remains and personal belongings are the urgent issues. Full cooperation by the armed separatists in securing access of the international investigation team to the site is indispensable. Japan strongly urges such cooperation.

3 Based on the current situation related to Ukraine, Japan decided to take new measures as follows.

(1)to freeze assets in Japan of the individuals and organizations considered to have directly involved in the annexation of Crimea and destabilization of Eastern Part of Ukraine;
(2) to take coordinated action in line with the EU’s position publicly announced recently with regard to the new projects for Russia of EBRD
(3)to introduce restrictive measures with regard to imports from Crimea and Sevastpol based on Japan’s position that annexation of Crimea by Russia will never be recognized.

4 The necessary procedures including the adoption of cabinet understanding will proceed as soon as possible with coordination among relevant ministries and agencies.

5 Japan sincerely hopes that the situation in Ukraine will be promptly normalized through diplomatic dialogues. It is necessary to realize and implement cease-fire by both sides at the earliest timing, peace talks, cessation of inflow of weapons and fighters across the border, and tightening of border-control measures. Japan strongly calls upon Russia to exert influence on the armed separatists so that they cooperate with the international investigation on the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight.